Children's development

Building a secure emotional and social development base for children is linked to their early

attachment experience with caregivers. This essay covers the spectrum of influential theories on

the impact that sensitive mothering has on attachment quality along with analyzing attachment

types. It will conclude with how responsive care, and secure attachment, will help developing a

positive internal working model for later maturity in a child’s life.

Infant’s early responses to preferred caregivers show that his/her willingness to interact and form

a relationship. The foundation of child’s emotional development is shaped through their

interaction with their caregivers. Success and intensity of the bond between a child and his/her

caregiver does not depend on the amount of stimulation and physical care s/he receives, but on

the quality of mothering style which is most likely to be formed with whom are more sensitive to

baby’s needs. Sensitive mothers are receptive, emotionally and physically available for their child

and are cooperative with him/her; providing a sense of trust, security, and the awareness that the

caregiver is available if desired, providing a safe base to start exploring. (Davenport, 1994)

Sensitive mothering is thought to predict the quality of the mother-infant relationship and

children's later behaviour pattern. Responsive and sensitive mothering provides a basis for

primary caregivers to take care of the child in a consistence, and reliable mutual relationship which

implies to the child that s/he is worth caring for, being loved and desired the way s/he is. The

resulting healthy and positive emotional foundation provides a proper self-image which relates

with positive self-esteem enabling the child to become emotionally mature, allowing him/her to

learn how to express and cope with feelings the way that are socially acceptable in the

environment s/he lives in. (MCI, 2011)